Gareth Bale only played 45 minutes in the 5-1 win against Belarus and his 100th cap was one of his quieter appearances on the pitch.
Yet his impact on this team, and the legacy he will leave on Welsh football, could not have been more striking.
At 2-0 up at half-time, Bale was withdrawn on his century to save him for Belgium’s visit on Tuesday as the hosts target next year’s World Cup after successive Euros appearances.
But Wales were still “ruthless” without him as Belarus were put to the sword.
Only a late screamer from Artem Kontsevoi gave the visitors the briefest moments of respite.
But such is the relentless mindset of Bale in pursuit of glory, the hosts were still not happy with their performance.
And while Bale rightly took the applause at the final whistle for his extraordinary devotion to his country, it wasn’t long before his and Wales’ thoughts turned to their final World Cup qualifier as they bid to finish second in Group E.
Spurs defender Ben Davies,28, who scored his first goal for his country in the win, gave an insight into the team’s mentality in the midst of Bale's landmark in his home city of Cardiff.
He replied: “Knowing Gareth it will be rest, recover and get ready for Tuesday.
“It is hard work again now.
“We are back on the training pitch the next couple of days desperate to start that Belgium game.
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“We were clinical against Belarus but I think we have played better in games.
“There are still a lot of things we can improve on.
“I think that is probably the good mentality we have in this team.
“We are not satisfied despite putting a performance like that in, we want to get better.
“I don’t think we can ever be satisfied.
“The best moments are when we have been in major tournaments.
“That is where we thrive and where we want to get to again.
“Until we get there we can’t be satisfied.”
Wales are already guaranteed a play-off place having won their Nations League group last year but, to have any chance of a home draw in the play-offs, they must finish second.
They moved above the Czech Republic with this thumping win which means Robert Page's men can secure second spot with a draw at home to Belgium.
Aaron Ramsey's rebound put Wales ahead in the second minute before Bale set up Neco Williams to score with a low shot which Belarus keeper Sergei Chernik should have saved.
Ramsey extended the hosts' lead with an early second-half penalty to take his tally of international goals to 20.
Davies then notched his first goal in 68 appearances as his attempted header went in off his shoulder.
And despite Kontsevoi’s superb 20-yarder in the 87th minute, there was still time for Connor Roberts to flick in from another deadly Harry Wilson set piece.
Wales have relied upon their captain and record scorer Bale, who has 36 international goals, countless times in the past.
But with the star clearly lacking fitness after his hamstring tear in September, this was a night for others to shine.
Davies added: “Gareth has got us out of a lot of sticky situations in the past but it is important other players deliver around him.
“We had him out there for 45 minutes but second half you saw a lot of good performances.
“It is an opportunity for every player to get out on the pitch and stake a claim.
“I thought the boys worked hard and were ruthless infront of goal.”
